BOC Customs Tariff Decisions Circular No. 01-2015

: The main objective of Republic Act No. 4653 is to safeguard the health of the people and maintain the dignity of the nation by prohibiting the commercial importation of used clothing and rags.
: RA 4653 specifically prohibits the commercial importation of textile articles commonly known as used clothing and rags.
: The prohibition shall be strictly construed and enforced within the territorial waters of the Philippines.
: No, all rulings, decisions, and established practices allowing conditional release of used clothing and rags are revoked.
: The act of bringing used clothing and rags into the country with the intention to re-export is deemed as importation and is prohibited under RA 4653.
: Yes, technical importation of used clothing and rags within customs bonded warehouses or Special Economic Zones is also deemed as importation and is prohibited.
: The case Commissioner of Customs v. Court of Tax Appeals, Las Islas Filipinas Food Corporation and Pat-Pro Overseas Co., Ltd. (G.R. Nos. 171516-17, 2/13/09) supports the revocation.
: The order takes effect thirty (30) days after its publication pursuant to Section 3502 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP).
: Enforcement as a national policy emphasizes the importance of protecting public health and national dignity by completely banning commercial import of used clothing and rags, prohibiting any exceptions or loopholes.